Interveners join Brexit challenge

The Supreme Court has allowed five groups to intervene when its 11 justices hear the government’s Brexit appeal.

Applications were granted to the Scottish and Welsh governments, a group of ex-patriots, the Independent Workers Union of Great Britain and Lawyers for Britain – a group of lawyers led by Martin Howe QC, of London’s 8 New Square Chambers.

Lawyers for the pro-single market think tank, British Influence, may mount a separate challenge over whether the UK stays inside the single market after Brexit.

Meanwhile, the Deputy President of the Supreme Court, Lady Hale, prompted debate following comments in a speech to lawyers in Kuala Lumpar. She said that the referendum result was not legally binding – a fact on which all parties to the case agree.